6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Kuroda (Jô Shishido) is a mob hitman who turns on his employers after being forced to execute his lover. Joining forces with his similarly wronged brothers, hot-headed Eiji (Tatsuya Fuji) and aspiring boxer Saburô (Jirô Okazaki), the trio escalate their mob retaliation to all-out turf war where no one will stop until one faction emerges victorious.
Starring: Tatsuya Fuji, Ryôji Hayama, Takashi Kanda, Hideaki Nitani, Jirô OkazakiForeign | 100% |
Crime | 14% |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Japanese: LPCM Mono
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Yasuharu Hasebe's "Massacre Gun" (1967) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video U.S. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; new and exclusive interview with writer and film historian Tony Rayns; new and exclusive video interview with actor Jô Shishido; and gallery of rare promotional materials. The release also arrives with an illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the film by Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp, newly illustrated by Ian MacEwan and featuring original archive stills. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
"Bastard... Think about it, Akazawa can attack us anytime."
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Yasuharu Hasebe's Massacre Gun arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video U.S.
The film's visual style clearly imitates the specific look the big American noir pictures promoted. Unsurprisingly, large portions of the film are lit in specific ways to enhance the moody atmosphere (see screencapture #7). Typically, depth and clarity are pleasing, but there are minor but noticeable fluctuations in terms of sharpness. Some of them are part of the original cinematography, aging has also contributed to the unevenness. A layer of light grain is visible throughout the entire film, but occasionally it could be overexposed. Contrast levels remain stable. Black levels could have been better managed as there are a few sequences where light crushing could be spotted (see screencapture #13). There are no traces of compromising sharpening adjustments. Overall image stability is good, but there are transitions that could be better (you will notice that quite a few feel twitchy/jumpy and a light white line pops up in the upper end of the frame). There are no large debris, damage marks, or cuts, but a few tiny vertical lines and flecks can be spotted). All in all, though not immaculate, this is indeed a fine organic presentation of Massacre Gun. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Japanese LPCM 1.0. Arrow Video U.S. have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The film is complimented by a very diverse jazzy soundtrack courtesy of Naozumi Yamamoto (Branded to Kill, Gate of Flesh). The jazz solos from the bar as well as the lonely trumpet solos from the intimate sequences sound great (listen to the solo at the 00.51.37 mark). Depth and clarity are good, but minor fluctuations exist. The action sequences, in particular, have plenty of enhancements, but the overall balance is never affected. The dialog is stable and easy to follow. There are no audio dropouts, pops, or digital distortions to report in thus review.
Yasuharu Hasebe's Massacre Gun is guaranteed to appeal to fans of the classic Japanese crime films from the '60s and 70s. It makes its world Blu-ray premiere via Arrow Video in the U.S. and the UK, but the release is actually Region-Free. So, if you reside in a Region-C country, you can safely import one of the two releases. RECOMMENDED.
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